1268 (Bun'ei 5): A letter from Kublai Khan demanding tribute was unanswered. The leader of China interpreted this non-response as disrespectful and discourteous.[4]

1274 (Bun'ei 11, 1st month): In the 15th year of Kameyama's reign, he abdicated.[8]

19 November 1274 (Bun'ei 11, 20th day of the 10th month): Yuan China (Kublai Khan) sends a fleet and an army to invade Japan. Some military forces are landed near Fukuoka in Kyūshū. This is called the "Battle of Bun'ei" or the 1st Mongol Invasion. The same day, a storm sinks many of the ships with the major part of the invading army. The invaders retreat to Korea.[9] During the brief fighting, the Hakozaki Shrine was burned to the ground.[10]

1281 (Kōan 4): This is called the "Battle of Kōan" or the 2nd Mongol Invasion. A typhoon destroyed the invading fleet; and the intervention of the divine wind is called "kamekaze.